According to this product matrix (image below), only the NVIDIA GoForce5500 has H.264 decoding. So unless the Samsung core is going to be doing all that H.264 decoding, GPU decoding will be the GoForce5500 or some newer "handheld-class" nVidia GPU yet to be formally announced. That will be $1,999 in research fees, payable to the Sunil Analyst Institute.
If the new iPods are going to have 3D gaming as well they would be using "OpenGL ES with nVidia extensions" http://www.khronos.org/opengles/ - All you tetris fanatics can get 3D tetris maybe.
If the new iPods are going to have 3D gaming as well they would be using "OpenGL ES with nVidia extensions" http://www.khronos.org/opengles/ - All you tetris fanatics can get 3D tetris maybe.
This is Apple we are talking about.
You will be playing CHESS or Nanosaur.
If you are really lucky they will throw in a sliding tile game to show of the programmable pixel shaders.
It is also entirely possible that Apple is not buying any of the current nvidia offerings and is instead using a customized or yet to be released version of one of the chips.
It is also entirely possible that Apple is not buying any of the current nvidia offerings and is instead using a customized or yet to be released version of one of the chips.
If that were true, I'd be concerned. That would be at least another 6 months to add to the timing of the machine.
Looking at the specifications, it is exactly suited towards a media device - it even supports mobile TV standards (DVB-H, etc). 2007's iPod could do music, video and TV, assuming the aerial can be integrated. Feck FM radio support. Feck Microsoft's 'iPod killer'
I wonder if Apple have the clout to get nVidia to create a single chip including GoForce graphics/audio and ARM CPU?
Broadcom will be fine, considering that some of their technology will go inside every Nintendo Wii system.
Some of their technology? They have so many different types of chip products, that could be anything. It seems like the only type of product they don't make is a desktop/notebook CPU.
Looking at the specifications, it is exactly suited towards a media device - it even supports mobile TV standards (DVB-H, etc). 2007's iPod could do music, video and TV, assuming the aerial can be integrated. Feck FM radio support. Feck Microsoft's 'iPod killer'
I wonder if Apple have the clout to get nVidia to create a single chip including GoForce graphics/audio and ARM CPU?
Nvidia doesn't build ARM, so far as I know. That would involve licensing, and an entire design team for, well, who knows how long?
If Nvidia only sold those resulting chips to Apple, what would they cost, even if it's feasable?
This Chip is far too overpowered just to sit next to the CPU and decode the occasional video - image what could be possible with this little sucker.
I won't hold my breath, though...
PDAs don't need special 3D graphics chips either. The one I mentioned is the Tapwave Zodiac, it was positioned as a hybrid PDA and handheld game device, and it's pretty nice, I think. I don't think any other PDAs has a dedicated graphics chip like that.
If it is for a portable media player, then it could allow decoding of 1080p media out to an HDTV, but I doubt Apple would offer that feature if they didn't have a viable means of licencing and distributing media to take advantage of that.
I believe around the timeframe the Treo was first introduced PocketPC PDAs started getting dedicated video chipsets from ATI or NVidia (can't remember which, might have been both). They weren't all that great and the main functionality they provided was video playback, but that was a few years ago.
If Apple does use the chip, I would strongly suspect it would be used for games/visuals, and not become a PDA. Matches the iPod call to arms more strongly--audio/video/gaming entertainment consolidated to one device.
And of course games for sale through iTMS, DRM included.
I'm not convinced the initial report is true though. Time will tell.
Since the 5G iPod came out, I've been saying that Apple should go for games. It's a logical extention. They already have a games catagory. The screen is a bit small, but not too small. The rez is fine. The controller works well for games. I don't see a problem. A few API's and it could be a go.
My Palm Treo 700p, as my Samsung i330 before it, plays games very well. The button placement is not as good as the controller on the iPod, and almost every game utilizes the buttons differently. Apple would resolve that difficulty on the iPod, as Nintendo does on their players.
Agreed, I think the iPod is a great platform to extend into games. If I recall correctly they also have one of those "sudden drop" accelerometers to protect the HD, which would allow for Wii-like input.
The success of such a thing is tied to getting good game developers on board of course (a big name title or two wouldn't hurt to boost sales).
Comments
Originally posted by sunilraman
If the new iPods are going to have 3D gaming as well
This is Apple we are talking about.
You will be playing CHESS or Nanosaur.
If you are really lucky they will throw in a sliding tile game to show of the programmable pixel shaders.
Enjoy!
Quote:
Originally posted by melgross
I wasn't aware Nvidia had a chip that could compete with Broadcom. I wonder which chip it is?
Sunil. It's time for some of your research.
What am I? Asok the Intern from Dilbert?
Here ya lazy bastards: (image) Chew on this first.
No, you're the Genie from Aladdin.
Originally posted by MacCentric
It is also entirely possible that Apple is not buying any of the current nvidia offerings and is instead using a customized or yet to be released version of one of the chips.
If that were true, I'd be concerned. That would be at least another 6 months to add to the timing of the machine.
Originally posted by Mr.Scott
Will this be a cost increase as well? Too much flash = too much cash?
This will probably be a new line of devices with a larger form factor but not necessarily more expensive.
iPod shuffle
iPod nano
iPod classic
iPod video/games/PSP killer
iPod phone
The PSP currently retails for $199
The DS Lite retails for about $139
Apple should be able to price it competitively since they will probably have greater economies of scale.
Nintendo and Sony only sell about 5 million units a yr in the US.
Apple is selling way more iPods each quarter.
Originally posted by Elijahg
I'm sure Nvidia's chip will run Doom 3 without too much trouble!
nVidia's mobile GoForce 5500 can run Quake, and even the GPL Quake III according to the product page. http://www.nvidia.com/page/goforce_5500.html
Looking at the specifications, it is exactly suited towards a media device - it even supports mobile TV standards (DVB-H, etc). 2007's iPod could do music, video and TV, assuming the aerial can be integrated. Feck FM radio support. Feck Microsoft's 'iPod killer'
I wonder if Apple have the clout to get nVidia to create a single chip including GoForce graphics/audio and ARM CPU?
Originally posted by FireEmblemPride
Broadcom will be fine, considering that some of their technology will go inside every Nintendo Wii system.
Some of their technology? They have so many different types of chip products, that could be anything. It seems like the only type of product they don't make is a desktop/notebook CPU.
Originally posted by Hattig
nVidia's mobile GoForce 5500 can run Quake, and even the GPL Quake III according to the product page. http://www.nvidia.com/page/goforce_5500.html
Looking at the specifications, it is exactly suited towards a media device - it even supports mobile TV standards (DVB-H, etc). 2007's iPod could do music, video and TV, assuming the aerial can be integrated. Feck FM radio support. Feck Microsoft's 'iPod killer'
I wonder if Apple have the clout to get nVidia to create a single chip including GoForce graphics/audio and ARM CPU?
Nvidia doesn't build ARM, so far as I know. That would involve licensing, and an entire design team for, well, who knows how long?
If Nvidia only sold those resulting chips to Apple, what would they cost, even if it's feasable?
Originally posted by melgross
Nvidia doesn't build ARM, so far as I know. That would involve licensing, and an entire design team for, well, who knows how long?
If Nvidia only sold those resulting chips to Apple, what would they cost, even if it's feasable?
I think the current iPod has a video decoder chip that's separate from the processor. My PDA has an ATI 3D chip along side the main processor.
Originally posted by JeffDM
I think the current iPod has a video decoder chip that's separate from the processor. My PDA has an ATI 3D chip along side the main processor.
That might be right. I don't remember exactly how much the Broadcom chip does. And what about the Samsung?
This Chip is far too overpowered just to sit next to the CPU and decode the occasional video - image what could be possible with this little sucker.
I won't hold my breath, though...
Originally posted by Denmaru
Dare I say it - Apple PDA?
This Chip is far too overpowered just to sit next to the CPU and decode the occasional video - image what could be possible with this little sucker.
I won't hold my breath, though...
PDAs don't need special 3D graphics chips either. The one I mentioned is the Tapwave Zodiac, it was positioned as a hybrid PDA and handheld game device, and it's pretty nice, I think. I don't think any other PDAs has a dedicated graphics chip like that.
If it is for a portable media player, then it could allow decoding of 1080p media out to an HDTV, but I doubt Apple would offer that feature if they didn't have a viable means of licencing and distributing media to take advantage of that.
If Apple does use the chip, I would strongly suspect it would be used for games/visuals, and not become a PDA. Matches the iPod call to arms more strongly--audio/video/gaming entertainment consolidated to one device.
And of course games for sale through iTMS, DRM included.
I'm not convinced the initial report is true though. Time will tell.
My Palm Treo 700p, as my Samsung i330 before it, plays games very well. The button placement is not as good as the controller on the iPod, and almost every game utilizes the buttons differently. Apple would resolve that difficulty on the iPod, as Nintendo does on their players.
The success of such a thing is tied to getting good game developers on board of course (a big name title or two wouldn't hurt to boost sales).